Power Generation – Harnessing Renewable Energy

Electric power is a major, and growing, consumer of primary energy that is classically produced from fossil fuels (with some contribution from nuclear energy and hydropower). The removal of CO 2 from the flue gas produced during power generation is energy-intensive and may consume up to 50% of the power generated. The carbon footprint of renewable energy sources, such as geothermal energy, hydropower, wind energy and solar energy, is much lower. Here, we discuss the efficiency of power generation (both the classical thermal processes and power generation from renewable energy), as well as the capacity factor on a national basis, i.e. the amount of energy produced annually relative to the installed capacity, an important factor affecting the affordability of power generation. Furthermore, the fluctuating nature of the power demand by the grid is discussed.